Sandpiper buys Isle of Man department store

Tuesday 03 January 2017

Channel Island retail giant Sandpiper is moving into the shopping market in the Isle of Man.

The company has bought Tynwald Mills, the island’s only department store, for an undisclosed sum.

Sandpiper’s CEO, Tony O’Neill, said: “We have been looking at expanding into the Isle of Man for some time. Many of our existing franchise partners are keen to work with us in territories outside of the Channel Islands and the Tynwald Mills department store provides the perfect platform to move our strategy forward in this location.”

The 50,000 sq ft retail business was established more than 30 years ago. Originally a fully integrated woollen mill producing cloth for stores such as Marks and Spencer, the mill then underwent a change of ownership and direction in the mid-seventies.

Stephen Bradley, Managing Director Tynwald Mills said: “We are delighted to have come to an agreement with SandpiperCI. Our collective brand reach will undoubtedly improve choice of the Isle of Man.”